China marks the 40th anniversary of its economic reforms and opening up on Dec. 18 — an occasion Beijing could use to emphasize its commitment to transform its economy, noted Scott Kennedy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Sentencing a child to carry the name Luke Sky Walker through life is more of a crime than violating probation on a theft charge, according to “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill, who recently reacted to news accounts of the arrest of a Tennessee man.